SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SSAT Upper Level Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #2571 : Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

MULTITUDINOUS

Possible Answers:

Jejune

Myriad

Daunting

Germane

Formidable

Correct answer:

Myriad

Explanation:

Used an an adjective, "myriad" means many, multitudinous, and innumerable. "Daunting" and "formidable" are synonyms. "Jejune" means uninteresting, while "germane" means relevant to the topic at hand.

Example Question #2572 : Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

RISIBLE

Possible Answers:

Heroic

Plaintive

Irascible

Laughable

Petulant

Correct answer:

Laughable

Explanation:

"Risible" is a synonym for "laughable" or humorous. "Plaintive" means mournful, sad, or pathetic. "Heroic" means brave and valiant. "Irascible" is a synonym for "irritable," as is "petulant."

Example Question #2573 : Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

PRESAGED

Possible Answers:

Remunerative

Lucrative

Empirical

Parsimonious

Foreseen

Correct answer:

Foreseen

Explanation:

"Presaged" means "foreseen," foretold, or predicted. "Lucrative" and "remunerative" are synonyms. "Parsimonious" is another word for stingy or miserly. "Empirical" means based in evidence (as opposed to based in logic or intuition).

Example Question #2574 : Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

DROLL

Possible Answers:

Lissome

Craven

Veracious

Prolix

Humorous

Correct answer:

Humorous

Explanation:

"Droll" means "humorous" or comical. "Lissome" is another word for supple, lithe, and graceful. "Craven" means abject, cowardly, or feeble. "Prolix" is a synonym for verbose or overly wordy. "Veracious" means truthful, honest.

Example Question #2575 : Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

PICARESQUE

Possible Answers:

Assiduous

Meritorious

Insuperable

Myriad

Episodic

Correct answer:

Episodic

Explanation:

"Picaresque," which is often used in a literary context, describes something that occurs in many episodes, often humorous ones. "Myriad" means many or innumerable. "Insuperable" is another word for overwhelming, impossible to overcome. "Meritorious" means praiseworthy, commendable. "Assiduous" means diligent and hardworking.

Example Question #2576 : Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

VERACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Exigent

Truthful

Excruciating

Apocryphal

Ravenous

Correct answer:

Truthful

Explanation:

"Veracious" means "truthful," accurate. It's easy to confuse this word with "voracious," which means ravenous, insatiable. "Apocryphal," which means false or fictitious, is an antonym for "veracious." "Excruciating" means extremely painful, and "exigent" means urgent.

Example Question #2571 : Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

RAMPANT

Possible Answers:

Ephemeral

Meticulous

Abhorrent

Analogous

Widespread

Correct answer:

Widespread

Explanation:

"Rampant" means "widespread" or uncontrolled, such as a rampant wildfire or the rampant spread of disease. "Analogous" means comparable or similar, while "abhorrent" means loathsome or repellent. "Meticulous" is another word for fastidious, extremely attentive to detail. "Ephemeral" means transitory, fleeting.

Example Question #2572 : Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

INCIPIENT

Possible Answers:

Fecund

Antiquated

Emergent

Obsequious 

Extemporaneous

Correct answer:

Emergent

Explanation:

"Incipient" describes something that is in an early or initial phase, that's "emergent" or just beginning to coalesce. "Antiquated" means old-fashioned, and "obsequious" means sycophantic or servile. "Fecund" means fertile, productive. "Extemporaneous" is a synonym for "impromptu," unplanned.

Example Question #2573 : Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

ECUMENICAL

Possible Answers:

Exuberant

catholic

Germane

Irrelevant

Tyrannical

Correct answer:

catholic

Explanation:

"Ecumenical" and "catholic" both mean all-encompassing, universal. (Don't confuse catholic with "Catholic," a specific religious denomination.) "Germane" is an antonym for "irrelevant." "Exuberant" means overjoyed, while "tyrannical" means authoritarian and cruel.

Example Question #2574 : Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

LAPIDARY

Possible Answers:

Scanty

Smug

Multitudinous

Inchoate

Elegant

Correct answer:

Elegant

Explanation:

"Lapidary" means "elegant," particularly in a way that is concise. (In fact, the word was originally used to describe jewelers' precise and beautiful work with gemstones.) "Smug" means self-satisfied, and "multitudinous" means numerous or prolific. This is an antonym for "scanty," which means scarce. "Inchoate" describes something that is new and not yet fully formed.

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